Special Recognition

Congratulations to Ashley for her recent feature in the Valiant Women of Commonwealth series!

March 24, 2021

The Commonwealth Financial Network® recently featured our very own Ashley Ott in their Valiant Women of Commonwealth interview series!

During the interview, Ashley detailed her transition from interning at Vantage Point Financial during college to working full-time post-graduation: first as a client services manager and shortly thereafter as a partner of the firm.

The Valiant Women of Commonwealth series aligns very well with Vantage Point Financial's own objectives by aiming to uplift women in the financial services industry and highlight their achievements. During her interview, Ashley was able to touch on the goals of Vantage Point Financial, including the firm's commitment to gender parity, clients’ education, and independent financial advice.

Congratulations, Ashley!

Picture Day at VPF

September 6, 2019

In early September, the Vantage Point Financial Team took new headshots and group pictures for our website. We had such a fun time both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. We appreciate Nicole from Photo Fabulous You for helping us look our best! 

For more information on Photo Fabulous You, click here. 

Congratulations to Ashley for her nomination to InvestmentNews 40 Under 40!

June 17, 2019

I am thrilled to announce that the InvestmentNews’ editorial team has selected our own Ashley Ott as one of the 40 Under 40 Young Professionals Leading the Way! InvestmentNews (the leading provider of news, data, research, and events for financial advisers) nominates advisers each year for this distinction based on accomplishments to date, contributions to the industry, leadership, and promise. 

Many of you have known Ashley since she joined Vantage Point Financial seven years ago as a client services administrator. I could see right away how special she is in terms of her warmth, positive outlook, generosity, fun spirit, intelligence, and commitment, and desire to do whatever it takes to provide exceptional service.

She learned fast and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional certification in 2015. She also occasionally taught finance in the undergraduate program in the Questrom School of Management at Boston University, became a partner in 2017, and acquired part-ownership of Vantage Point Financial in 2018. All before the age of 30.

Ashley has been asked several times to tell her story at various financial adviser conferences around the country and is now seen nationally as a role model to other young advisers looking for direction on “how to do it.”

She is deeply involved with the community as a board member of The Second Step (an organization that helps survivors and families of domestic violence), assisting as a hockey coach to young women in high school, and fundraising for charity by running the Boston Marathon.

Out of tens of thousands of advisers, 1,000 young advisers are nominated each year, and 40 are chosen to be recognized. We are so proud of Ashley and welcome you to join us in recognizing and congratulating her for this achievement!

If you want to send congratulations, please take a moment now to comment on my LinkedIn post! I know she’ll be thrilled to hear from you!

2019 InvestmentNews 40 under 40 List:  Nominations were solicited from InvestmentNews readers and financial planning industry professionals. Nominees must be 39 or younger and are judged, by the editors of InvestmentNews, on their accomplishments, industry contributions, leadership, and promise (i.e., passion, enthusiasm, and ideas). Approximately 1,000 advisors were considered; 4 percent of candidates were named to the list. Individuals were selected based solely on the subjective opinions of InvestmentNews editors, and selection is not indicative of the advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary.  For more information, click here.

Partner Ashley Ott Attends InvestmentNews Women to Watch Awards

March 19, 2019

Vantage Point Financial Partner Ashley Ott was invited to attend the 4th annual InvestmentNews Women to Watch Awards in New York City on March 19, 2019.

The Women to Watch Awards honor outstanding women in the financial advice industry. Honorees must meet several rigorous criteria:

1. Their work has made a lasting impact on the industry
2. They are distinguished leaders at their firms
3. They have demonstrated a willingness to share their experiences with others and give back to the industry

“It is more important than ever to highlight the many talented women our industry has to offer…As is often said, 'You can’t be what you can’t see.' This is the main reason why we feel it is our responsibility to bring the stories of these individual women to the forefront, so that there are concrete examples of female financial leaders on display,” said Suzanne Siracuse, CEP/Publisher, and Fred Gabriel, Editorial Director, at InvestmentNews.

Ashley loved being able to network with the top women advisors in the industry. She hopes to be invited back next year, but this time as an honoree!

Partners David Griswold and Ashley Ott Speak at National Conference

November 10, 2018

Vantage Point Financial partners David Griswold and Ashley Ott were invited to speak on two panels at a national educational conference for independent financial advisors. Hosted by Commonwealth Financial Network®, the nation’s largest privately held Registered Investment Advisor–independent broker/dealer, the event drew nearly 2,000 affiliated advisors, staff, guests, and sponsors from across the nation. Participants gathered in Austin, Texas, November 7–10, 2018, where they connected and collaborated with peers, colleagues, and industry partners to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance the high-end service that they provide to clients.

With the theme “Elevate: Inspire|Aspire|Motivate,” the conference encouraged attendees to elevate themselves in every facet of their personal and professional lives—from their relationships to their personal brand to their client service. Keynote speakers included Commonwealth CEO Wayne Bloom and 43rd president of the United States George W. Bush.

The first panel David and Ashley were invited to speak on was entitled "Creating Financial Advisor Career Opportunities That Appeal to Women." David, Ashley, and the other panelists spoke about what they are doing to create work environments that are attractive to up-and-coming women advisors, and brainstormed ideas for everyone—females and males alike—to craft cultures and career paths that appeal to women.

David and Ashley were invited to sit on a second panel entitled "Next-Gen Talent: From Intern to Partner." The session focused on how to bring young advisors into practice and how best to structure the development path for an aspiring advisor. David shared his story, from his recruitment of Ashley six years ago to her ascent to a partnership role at the firm today.

"Ashley worked very hard to become an equity partner and is now a leader in the financial advising industry regarding how to do it. I'm so grateful to work with the best possible financial advisor and business partner!" said David.

The event room was packed, interest was high, and the response afterward was extremely positive!

David and Ashley Present at National Conference for Financial Advisors

October 14, 2017

Founder David Griswold and Partner Ashley Ott of Vantage Point Financial in Boston, MA, recently presented at a national educational conference for independent financial advisors. David and Ashley participated in a panel discussion regarding recruiting and developing the next generation of financial advisors. They gave personal insights and advice to other advisors attending the session who are looking for ways to bring younger partners into the field. The session was attended by Wayne Bloom, CEO of Commonwealth Financial Network®.

The conference, hosted by Commonwealth Financial Network®, the nation’s largest privately held Registered Investment Advisor–independent broker/dealer, drew 1,641 affiliated advisors, staff, guests, and sponsors from across the nation. Participants gathered in San Diego, California, October 11–14, 2017, where they connected and collaborated with peers, colleagues, and industry partners to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance the high-end service that they provide to clients.

With the theme “Personal Currency: Human Connections | Patterns for Success,” the conference encouraged attendees to explore how the relationships that they build, nurture, and sustain—both professionally and personally—influence their success.

Members of Commonwealth’s leadership team addressed attendees, with Bloom speaking candidly about the firm’s decision-making process—specifically addressing how valued input from and open lines of communication with advisors have helped inform and drive decisions with regard to the Department of Labor fiduciary rule. Bloom expressed appreciation for and a resolute commitment to Commonwealth’s 1,710 advisors and affirmed that, looking ahead, they are perfectly positioned for success. John Rooney, managing principal of the firm’s San Diego office, highlighted some key growth milestones for the firm. Brad McMillan, chief investment officer, provided perspective on the markets and economy.Renowned keynote speakers offered topical remarks tailored specifically to an advisor audience. In an informal “fireside chat,” Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State (1997–2001), joined by Commonwealth’s Joni Youngwirth, managing principal, practice management, offered insights about effective diplomacy. Citing being prepared, being yourself, and maintaining a sense of humor as critical elements to building bridges, Albright outlined the real keys to diplomacy as the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes and to have a clear understanding of what the other person wants. Ken Blanchard, author, leadership expert, and cofounder of international management training and consulting firm The Ken Blanchard Companies®, spoke about the innate leader in everyone, encouraging all to bring a positive mind-set to personal interactions and to practice humility. International portrait photographer Platon brought the conference theme to life, sharing powerful personal stories about connecting on a human level with his subjects—from Bill Clinton to Vladimir Putin—to tell the most authentic story possible through his photographs.

David and Ashley attended a wide array of educational sessions, panel discussions, and networking events on topics ranging from wealth management, retirement opportunities, and business growth strategies to the changing regulatory landscape, evolving fiduciary responsibilities, and information security and privacy issues.